Etihad Airways has taken delivery of its first Airbus A321LR, marking a pivotal step in the airline’s fleet expansion. The delivery, which took place during a ceremony at Airbus’ Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg, Germany, introduces a new standard of luxury and innovation to narrowbody aviation.
This aircraft is the first of 30 A321LRs set to join Etihad’s fleet, aligning with the airline’s strategic growth vision and expanding its ability to offer premium service on short- and medium-haul routes. Speaking to Travel Radar, Antonoaldo Neves, Chief Executive Officer of Etihad said:
“Today marks an extraordinary moment for Etihad as we welcome an aircraft that changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane, the A321LR enables us to serve more destinations with the same premium experience our guests expect across all cabins.”
Next-Level Comfort in Every Cabin
Etihad’s new A321LR features a groundbreaking three-cabin configuration—unprecedented for a narrowbody aircraft. Most notably, it introduces Etihad’s first-ever First Suites in a single-aisle setting. These enclosed, private suites offer sliding doors, fully-flat beds, a 20-inch 4K screen, Bluetooth pairing, wireless charging, and enough room for a companion to join during the flight.
The Business Class cabin consists of 14 widebody-style seats arranged in a 1-1 herringbone layout, providing each passenger with direct aisle access and panoramic window views. Business seats feature 17.3-inch 4K screens and the same cutting-edge tech found in First Class.
In Economy, 144 ergonomically designed seats elevate the standard for short- and medium-haul comfort. Each seat is equipped with a 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen, Bluetooth audio, USB charging, and access to a rich library of in-flight entertainment. Enlarged overhead bins offer increased luggage capacity.
“The delivery of Etihad’s first Airbus A321LR is a powerful symbol of innovation and partnership,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus Executive Vice President Sales. “It sets a new standard for comfort in the single-aisle category and paves the way for increased connectivity.”
Seamless Connectivity and Expanding Reach
A major highlight of the A321LR is its high-speed Viasat-powered Wi-Fi, offering gate-to-gate internet with speeds reaching hundreds of Mbps. This service enables streaming, browsing, and gaming without interruption, ensuring productivity and entertainment at cruising altitude. The rollout on Asian routes will begin in September 2025.
Commercial service for the new aircraft begins Aug. 1, with the A321LR debuting on the Abu Dhabi–Phuket route. It will later operate on key routes including Bangkok, Paris, Milan, Copenhagen, Zurich, Tunis, and more.
The aircraft is a cornerstone of Etihad’s “Journey 2030” initiative, which aims to fly 38 million passengers annually by the end of the decade. With nine more A321LRs arriving in 2025 and 30 in total, Etihad is accelerating toward its goal of reinforcing Abu Dhabi as a premier global aviation hub.
Etihad has announced or launched 27 new routes in the past year, reflecting its ongoing commitment to network growth and customer excellence.
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